Metropolitan Hilarion concludes Archpastoral Visit to Diocese of Great Britain

On Wednesday, January 25, continuing his visit to the Diocese of Great Britain, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern American & New York visited Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, where he spent the entire day with Deacon Andrew Bond and parishioners from East Anglia and London. He then visited Abbot Sergei (Armstone) in the Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Clacton-on-Sea, where he also met Hieromonk Patrick (Ramsey), who serves there.

On Thursday, January 26, His Eminence celebrated a beautiful Hierarchal Liturgy in the Church of St. John of Shanghai in Colchester. Even though it was a weekday, parishioners made the effort to come, some taking time off of work. During the Sixth Hour, the Metropolitan ordained Spasimir Ivanov to the subdiaconate to serve in the parishes of East Anglia. After Liturgy, His Eminence joined a group of parishioners for a lovely meal in the church hall. He was very impressed with the strength of faith that he encountered and with the facilities of the parish, which can be used to further the mission of the Diocese as it is renewed.

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad then moved on to London, to reside at the cathedral in Chiswick.

On Saturday morning, he celebrated Hierarchal Liturgy, co-served by His Grace Irenei, Bishop of Sacramento, and diocesan clergy: Archpriests Paul Elliott (diocesan chancellor), Peter Baulk, Andrew Phillips, and Vitaly Serapinas, Protodeacon Dionysius Lvov (accompanying the Metropolitan from New York), and Deacon Ioan Iana. Praying in the altar were Hieromonk Gorazd (Vopatrny) and Fr. Patrick (Ramsey). During the Sixth Hour, Andrei Borisas was tonsured as a reader to serve in the cathedral, and Fr. Patrick was awarded the nabedrennik. After Liturgy, the Metropolitan met privately with the clergy and a number of invited guests.

On Zacchæus Sunday, January 29, His Eminence concelebrated Divine Liturgy with Bishop Irenei and the cathedral clergy at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos & the Holy Royal Martyrs. Metropolitan Hilarion gave a thought-provoking sermon on the significance of Zacchæus for all Orthodox Christians, especially as we prepare for the Great Lent. He also spoke movingly about the witness of the Holy Apostle Peter, it being also the feast of the Veneration of the Precious Chains of St. Peter. Upon conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the younger members of the sisterhood presented gifts to Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop Irenei. In the afternoon, the Metropolitan presided at the Annual General Meeting of the cathedral parish.

After visiting with Archbishop Elisey (Ganaba) of Sourozh on Monday and celebrating a final Liturgy in the London cathedral on Tuesday morning, His Eminence departed home for New York City. Metropolitan Hilarion’s visit to the Diocese was very warmly received by everyone. He will return to the Diocese of Great Britain from March 13-20, 2017, where he will lead the lenten services in parishes and monasteries of the Diocese.